Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska men's gymnastics team will host their first intrasquad meet this Friday and Sunday in preparation for the 2013 season. The meet will be held at the men's gymnastics practice area in the Bob Devaney Sports Center and is free of charge and open to the public, though limited room will be available for spectators.

Nebraska will perform routines on every event, beginning with floor exercise, pommel horse and rings on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The meet will continue on vault, parallel bars and high bar on Sunday at 2 p.m.

"The intrasquad is kind of an eye opener for the younger guys," said Husker Coach Chuck Chmelka.

This year, each gymnast will qualify for their events during practice by getting a full, saluted routine approved by one of the team's three coaches. Only those with accepted routines can participate in the intrasquad.

"If you don't get a check, you sit there," Chmelka said. "Well, nobody wants to sit. So, it's been kind of an interesting last month."

The Huskers welcome four freshmen and one transfer athlete to the team in 2013. Austin Epperson will not compete in the intrasquad due to an injury, but might become essential in the team lineup throughout the season. Joining Epperson are Omaha, Neb., native Ethan Lottman, Minneapolis' Coleman Tokar and Sam Chamberlain from Franklin, Ohio. Transfer student Zach Hedval will also joins the team after a two-year hiatus from the competitive atmosphere.

Nebraska will begin their 2013 season on Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Huskers will host three regular-season home meets against Illinois-Chicago (Jan. 27), Oklahoma (March 3) and Iowa/Minnesota (March 16). The Huskers will also see three gymnasts contend in the annual Winter Cup on Feb. 17-19 in Las Vegas, Nev.